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Connection and junction box for a solar module

a solar module and junction box technology, applied in the direction of coupling device connection, coupling device details, contact members penetrating/cutting insulation/cable strands, etc., can solve the problems of reducing the power of solar modules in series connection, difficult contact, and even damage, etc., to achieve the effect of convenient, fast and efficien

Inactive Publication Date: 2011-10-11
PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO KG
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a connection and junction box for a photovoltaic solar module that can be easily, fast, and efficiently automatically connected to the solar module. The connection and junction box offers high contact reliability and durability, and is cost-effective to produce and mount. The housing of the connection and junction box has an insertion mouth that allows for easy insertion of the flexible flat conductor band from the solar module. The connection and junction box has an actuation arrangement that can be activated to close the contact clamp and secure the flat conductor band. The actuation arrangement can be activated using a force applied to the housing or by a mounting robot. The invention also provides a connection and junction box that can be easily and efficiently automatedly mounted on the solar module.

Problems solved by technology

These flexible conductor bands are very sensitive and therefore difficult to contact.
Additionally, a mechanical charge for fixing an electrical connector is also difficult because of the disk-like form of the solar module.
If a module is shaded or does not produce electricity because of a defect, this module would lower the power of the solar modules in series connection or even suffers damage without bypass diode.
It is apparent that due to the mechanical conditions, particularly the form of the solar module and the sensitiveness of the flexible flat conductor bands, a number of difficulties occur, when constructing the connection and junction box.
It is apparent that mounting such connection devices or connection boxes respectively is laborious, and is badly suited for automated mass production.
At this, it is disadvantageous that the conductor band has to be threaded into the narrow guiding arrangement, and the clamping force of the clamp arrangement may nevertheless be relatively low to be able to insert the thin conductor band into the clamp arrangement.

Method used

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  • Connection and junction box for a solar module
  • Connection and junction box for a solar module
  • Connection and junction box for a solar module

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Embodiment Construction

[0043]With reference to FIGS. 1-2, the connection and junction box has a housing cap 2 made of plastics. The housing cap 2 is formed by a substantially rectangular frame made of four side walls 2a to 2d, and of a closed cap plate 2e running parallel to the solar module. The housing cap 2 is closed on five sides and open downward. For example, it is injection-moulded from plastics. Separate fold protection grommets 6 (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 4) are each inserted into connection cable lead-throughs 4.

[0044]Referring to FIG. 2, the housing cap is downward open, and has a holding frame 8 projecting outward, which frame has a circumferential glue notch 10 so that the housing cap 2 has a hat-like shape. Finally, the connection and junction box is permanently glued on the solar module by means of the glue inserted in the glue notch 10. The hat-like or pan-like shape of the housing cap forms an inner hollow space 12, in which the connection devices not shown in FIG. 2 are substantially water-pr...

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Abstract

The invention relates to a connection and junction box (1) for a photovoltaic solar module (24), which box in a mounting state, is put on the solar module (24) with open contact clamp(s) (22), and the contact clamps are actively closed for contacting the flexible flat conductor band(s) (28). Preferably, the actuating the contact clamp(s) (22) is automatically carried out by means of a device between two housing parts (2, 50), when putting on.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to a connection and junction box for a photovoltaic solar module having flexible flat conductor bands protruding from the surface of the solar module, and to a method for connecting a connection and junction box to a solar module.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Over the past years, producing photovoltaic solar modules has literally been booming, inter alia due to the increased demand on environmentally sound energy production. The direct conversion of sunlight into electric current by means of photovoltaic solar modules is entirely emission-free, and no risks for humans and the environment are almost involved. For example, complete roofs of new buildings are therefore recently overlaid with solar modules, and even “solar power plants” are built. Due to the technical development of photovoltaics, using solar modules more and more becomes efficient even in more unfavourable latitudes such as Middle Europe and Northern America so that ...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Patents(United States)
IPC IPC(8): H01R4/24
CPCH01R4/489H02S40/34H01R12/592H01L31/02013H01R9/2416Y02E10/50
Inventor GIEFERS, STEFAN
Owner PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO KG
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